Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was allegedly assaulted during a Jan Sunwai (public hearing) at her official residence on Wednesday. The incident occurred when a man, believed to be around 40 years old, suddenly approached her during the event and slapped her.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the man was carrying a bag and initially handed over some documents to the Chief Minister. Moments later, he began shouting and then attacked her. Security personnel and those present at the scene quickly subdued him and took him into custody.
The accused has been identified as Rajesh Bhai Khimji Bhai Sakariya, a 41-year-old resident of Rajkot. Preliminary interrogation is underway to determine his motive behind the assault.
“A man, believed to be around 35–40 years old, handed over a document and then suddenly attacked the Chief Minister,” said BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar. He added that while it is unclear whether the attacker has any political affiliations, some of his statements before the assault hinted at possible discontent with the current political climate in Delhi.
Delhi BJP chief Virendraa Sachdeva gave further details, stating that the attacker attempted to grab the Chief Minister’s hand during the hearing, which led to a brief scuffle. “Her head may have hit a corner during the incident. Fortunately, doctors have confirmed she is stable but understandably shaken,” he said. Sachdeva praised Gupta’s resilience, saying she remains committed to her public engagements and will continue to hold Jan Sunwai sessions. He also dismissed some early reports of the attack involving a stone or a slap, calling them inaccurate.
Strong condemnation poured in from several political leaders. Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa called the assault a “conspiracy by political rivals.” He said, “The Chief Minister spends hours every day meeting the public. Some can’t digest that. This seems politically motivated, and I trust the Delhi Police will uncover the full truth.”
Echoing the sentiment, Minister Kapil Mishra described the incident as an “unforgivable crime.” He said, “This is not just an attack on a leader; it’s an attack on a woman who tirelessly serves Delhi. Those behind this act are not just criminals, but cowards afraid of dialogue.”
Delhi Police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police, arrived at the Chief Minister’s residence soon after the incident. An official inquiry is ongoing.
Delhi Congress chief Devender Yadav also condemned the attack, calling it “deeply unfortunate.” He raised concerns about broader issues of women’s safety. “If the Chief Minister of Delhi is not safe at her own residence, what does that say about the safety of the average citizen?” he asked.
Former Delhi CM and AAP MLA Atishi also responded strongly, calling the attack “highly condemnable.” She said, “In a democracy, disagreement and protest have their place—but violence does not. We hope Delhi Police takes the strictest possible action.”
As the investigation continues, leaders across party lines have united in demanding justice and greater security for public officials during open forums like Jan Sunwai.
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